Now about this month's question: When do you know when your story is ready?

There are two things that signal FINISHED.

I like the story again. Like most writers, I have a real love-hate relationship with my books. First, they're the most brilliant things I've ever penned, then they stink. It's after this phase and the love returns that I know it's ready.

My three crit partners give it the thumbs up. If they like it after reading it umpteen times, then my thermometer jumps to DONE! Of course, they could be telling it's a go to get rid of me, but I hope not.

It's great that you have 3 reliable crit partners and I love your calm approach. It's so important that we actually like our own stories :) I haven't read that one in any blogs I've read today, including my own :)Have a super month.

Yup, I'm still seeking Gary. I heard from a birdie that he's in my neck of the woods visiting his parents. Wish the province of BC wasn't so large, so I could drive over and have a spot of tea. But then Penny the Jack Russell dog and internet superstar stayed behind in jolly ole England, so...

C. Lee, thanks for sharing and it's a pleasure to be one of your co-hosts. I apologize for the tardiness; been under the weather. I go through all sorts of tortuous things: when it's done, it's done, or by word count. The truth of the matter is, I haven't written all that much fiction, so I'm still not going by gut instinct yet. Thanks again!

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one that hates her story sometimes. Waiting for the love now. Thanks for the reminder.If Gary is lost in that crowd, I sure can't see him, with my glasses on or off.

Hi Lee,It is nice to hear that another experiences the same emotions with their books. I fall in love madly with my story and then somehow we start fighting with each other. Then when it is finished I find myself falling back in love with it. Then I know it is time. I feel it. Shalom aleichem,Patricia

I'm a bit opposite on the "I like the story again." REally, I tend to get tired of it, and all the editing, and just send it out to its fate. When I send it out while I still like it, it tends to have editing errors :(

I found him! Yeah, hi, Gary! (waving vigorously) Oops, wrong Gary. Moving on. There he is, no! Darn. Over there. Oh how could I forget, he's over at the Z to A store. Oh dear, it's closed. Sheesh, this is tough. I'll come back tomorrow and start again. I know he's out there, I've seen him all over FB. I swear! :)Happy IWSG Day!

I know Gary's in Canada, but my glasses aren't strong enough to find it on the map. I usually hate my WIPs when I finish them. It's only the months that I spend waiting to publish that I get enough distance to love them again. Aren't CPs the best invention ever?

Good point on when to know your finished. Thanks for visiting blog. I survived the hurricane and moving, so doing good, back online. Got your link for Storytime, thanks so much. HUGS Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

Good point on when to know your finished. Thanks for visiting blog. I survived the hurricane and moving, so doing good, back online. Got your link for Storytime, thanks so much. HUGS Juneta @ Writer's Gambit